Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Why Increase the Initiation Fee?

With the increase in the initiation fee, approved by DeMolay International to begin on January 1, 2011, it seemed time for a study of the fee based on information available in the PA DeMolay archives.

As a matter of information, the initiation fee for membership paid to DeMolay International was at $5.00 in 1958.

I don't know what year they increased, but I believe they went from $5 to $7.50, and by 1967 they were at $10.

They were increased to $12.50 as of January 1, 1973.

They were again increased to $15 in 1981.

Just 5 years later, they increased to $20 in 1986, when the requirement was added that theLeaders Resource Guide be included in the benefits of membership.

They increased to $25 in 1992.

And now, finally, to $35 as of 2011.

Calculating the annual inflation rate of 4.47% since 1967, that $10 fee would be equivalent to $65.60 today, so DeMolay membership, today, is still an incredible bargain!

But adjusting to the annual inflation rate of 3.21%, that 1981 fee of $15 would only be $37.53 in today's dollars, which means that the latest increase brings us back in line with the relative value of DeMolay in 1981, but far behind the value placed on DeMolay Membership in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.